International Polo Club Palm Beach Honored with 2013 President's Award

International Polo Club Palm Beach Honored with 2013 President’s Award

The International Polo Club Palm Beach, which is located in Wellington, has been selected as the recipient of the 2013 President’s Award for establishing itself as the premier destination in the world for polo and its success in promoting sports tourism.The honor is awarded annually by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. Each year, recipients are selected among athletes, coaches, media, special venues, and administrators in Palm Beach County who have achieved excellence in sports.The President’s Award will be presented at the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame Induction and Annual Sports Award Ceremony, scheduled for 5pm on Sunday March 24th at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.What began as a visionary dream, evolved into a meticulously prominent facility, and is now a reality as the International Polo Club celebrates its 10th year of world-class polo competition.

Led by President of Club Operations John Wash, the International Polo Club (IPC) has become known as the finest facility of its kind around the world, becoming a major asset for Palm Beach County.IPC attracts elite polo players and teams from across the globe for 16 consecutive weeks, from January to April.The International Polo Club is nestled within the picturesque surroundings of Wellington and consists of an emerald green span of nine beautifully manicured polo fields.The facility also entails a 7,000 square ft. pavilion, private boxes, elegant grandstands, lawn seating, tennis and croquet courts, a state-of-the-art spa, and a stunningly landscaped pool deck.During his eight year tenure at the International Polo Club, John Wash has directed the expansion of the polo facility to include a private club for members that features the Mallet Grille and the fabled 7th Chucker. Wash was instrumental in the enhanced stadium seating with private boxes for members and select guests, along with the Wellington Zone offering food and beverages for spectators. The addition of several new professional polo fields and the transition from a white party tent to the present day Pavilion, were key projects under Wash’s leadership. Today, the Pavilion seats 400 guests field side for an elegant champagne brunch every Sunday during the 16-week polo season at IPC, and is also an “in demand” facility for special events.

The team at the International Polo Club is creating a tremendous legacy.IPC captured its first major polo tournament with the C.V. Whitney Cup (26-goal), during the facility’s initial year.Today, John Wash and his team have landed the most prestigious 20 goal and 26 goal polo tournaments in the world, including the Joe Barry Memorial Cup (20 goal), the Ylvisaker Cup (20 goal), and the USPA PIAGET Gold Cup (26 goal).The season culminates with the coveted USPA Maserati 109th US Open Polo Championships (26 goal), the nation’s most respected polo tournament offering the most admired trophy in polo.IPC received a great triumph, when the United States Polo Association awarded IPC the Gold Cup, sealing its place in polo history as the first club to possess the “triple crown” of American polo, with all three 26-goal trophies calling IPC home.

In the early years at IPC, spectators numbered in the hundreds, appealing to devoted equestrian enthusiasts.Today, John Wash and his dedicated staff have transformed Sunday polo into a major attraction for families, corporations, celebrities, and sports fans across the country. In 2013, record-breaking crowds are enjoying polo at the club.The polo season at IPC has proven to be an incredible benefit for Palm Beach County.IPC’s polo season promotes the County as an elite sports destination and generates more than $20 million of economic impact for the community.

In addition to polo, John Wash and his team has transformed the International Polo Club (IPC) into a destination for some of the nation’s largest sporting events.The world-class facility and its collection of polo fields have been home to national tournaments in sports such as lacrosse, soccer, and field hockey.During the 2012 thanksgiving weekend, November 22-25, the International Polo Club hosted the world’s largest field hockey tournament and one of the largest amateur sporting events that takes place annually in the United States.The International Polo Club partnered with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission to host the National Hockey Festival, which brought 220 teams consisting of 4,000 athletes and 8,500 total participants to Wellington and Palm Beach County.A total of 8 polo fields were utilized to layout 28 field hockey pitches and park nearly 2,000 cars to accommodate the influx of visitors.Over 700 field hockey games occurred during the weekend.IPC’s efforts created a considerable boost to Palm Beach County’s economy, stimulating a tremendous level of economic impact and bed tax revenues.The National Hockey Festival generated over 11,500 hotel room nights and $8.25 million of direct visitor spending for Palm Beach County.This great event will return to the International Polo Club in 2013.

“The IPC and John Wash have been a great partner of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.” says Guy Quattlebaum, President. “Not only is the IPC a leader in the equestrian and polo community, but they have a tremendously versatile facility that can be transformed to host multiple field sporting events.

The International Polo Club offers an unparalleled experience of excitement, drama, competition, and hospitality and has developed into one of Palm Beach County’s premier sports venues.